Introduction

The history of the Minotaur, the first of three vessels to bear this name, is primarily documented in a booklet produced by the 1st Mortlake Sea Scouts branch of the B-P Scout Guild titled 50 Years of Sea Scouting in Mortlake. Additional information has been supplemented from the Minotaur logbook, kept by Tom Towndrow, and from the newsletters The Buzz, edited mainly by G. E. White (Rufus).

1929: Acquisition and Early Service

The acquisition of the Minotaur in 1929 was regarded as the most ambitious undertaking by the Troop to that date. It opened considerable possibilities in seamanship, boating, and provided new mobility for camping activities afloat. Throughout 1927 and 1928, a search for a suitable craft was conducted, including scrutiny of advertisements in Motor Boat and other publications, as well as private contacts.

In February 1929, with assistance from Mr. Adams of Hanwell, an ex-Minotaur hull was located at Chatham Dockyard. The vessel was purchased for £60 from M. Lynch and Son of Rochester. On 14 March 1929, she was towed by the London and Rochester Trading Co. to Cadogan Pier, Battersea, where the Troop took delivery. The following day, the tug Prince Regent towed her to moorings at Mortlake with a crew comprising instructors Flexman and G. E. White, Scouts Brown, Williams, Lindley, Habgood, Bird, Tooley, and Scout-master W. R. White.

Pre-Troop History

The vessel was originally constructed as ‘Pinnace’ 212 in 1907 and assigned to H.M.S. Minotaur, a cruiser of 14,600 tons displacement, in October of that year. The parent ship had notable service, including conveying H.R.H. Prince of Wales to Canada in 1908, escorting King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Sweden, joining the China station in 1910, and participating in significant First World War actions such as the destruction of German radio installations at Yap and presence at the sinking of the German cruiser Emden. She also took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and was paid off for disposal in 1919.

Construction Details

The Minotaur was of double-skinned carvel construction, planked in teak on oak frames, with an oak keel and stem. She measured 45 feet overall in length with a beam of 10 feet 6 inches. Her fine underwater lines made her economical to run, and twin rudders provided good maneuverability. However, her restricted beam resulted in cramped below-deck accommodation, and she was not particularly fast.

Refit and Engine Installation (1929–1932)

The vessel underwent a refit lasting approximately two years, becoming fully serviceable by 1932. The main conversion involved installing a 30 b.h.p. Wolseley marine engine acquired from Battersea. The engine was overhauled by the Troop at Headquarters, Alder Road, with new main and big end bearings fitted, and chrome deposited and reground crankshaft journals and pins. Modifications to the tail shaft and a new propeller were also required.

Operational History (1932–1939)

• Early 1932: Further engine work was conducted to improve astern performance, including changing the propeller from 18in diameter x 16in pitch to 19in x 12in.
• May 1932: A down-river camp covering 110 miles over 19 hours cruising time was successfully completed with satisfactory engine performance.
• 1933: Routine hull and engine maintenance were carried out, including an engine overhaul by Scouts Grayson and Harris.
• February 1934: The original engine was replaced by a 44hp Aster Petrol Paraffin engine, with installation completed by April.
• May 1935: The vessel undertook a down-river weekend trip to the Estuary, encountering several Royal Navy warships preparing for the Jubilee Review and enduring challenging weather conditions.
• December 1935: Minotaur was placed on a mud berth behind Corporation Island, Twickenham, for extensive interior and exterior work.
• 1937: Modifications to fuel tanks and locks were completed, bilges scrubbed, and paint removed from the hull. In April, the vessel was relaunched and passed a Charge Certificate Test.
• August 1937: The vessel ran aground after moorings were carried away and subsequently caught fire due to a fractured petrol feed pipe. Repairs were undertaken by Maynards at Strand-on-the-Green.
• 1938: The engine was overhauled by Messrs. Leverett and Kearton due to ongoing mechanical issues.
• 1939: Preparations for an ambitious season afloat included repainting the vessel in black with green boot-topping and chrome yellow lettering. The vessel undertook extended cruises, including a cross-Channel voyage to Calais and Boulogne, towing a whaler and navigating challenging sea conditions.

World War II Service (1939–1945)

With the outbreak of war in September 1939, Minotaur was assigned to the Port of London Authority (P.L.A.) River Emergency Service (R.E.S.) and based at the Putney Station. The vessel was manned by Rovers Foster, Adlam, Jackson, Harris, and A. Towndrow, conducting air raid precaution practices and river patrols. After six weeks, she was stood down and held in reserve.

In May 1940, Minotaur was requisitioned by the Admiralty for Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk. Under the command of T. Towndrow and F. Jackson, she sailed to Sheerness and then Ramsgate, where naval ratings joined the crew. The vessel crossed the Channel, navigating hazardous conditions and towing boats laden with troops from the beaches to larger ships offshore. During the operation, she endured air attacks and close encounters with destroyers. After completing several crossings, the crew transferred to other craft, and Minotaur proceeded to Dunkirk Harbour for evacuation from the mole under heavy artillery fire.

Following Operation Dynamo, the vessel underwent refitting and conversion and entered naval service based at Brightlingsea and Walton-on-Naze. Armed with light machine guns and P.A.C. rockets, her primary role was night coastal patrol to report enemy mine-laying and invasion attempts. Initially manned by a Scout crew, she was later crewed by other patrol service personnel. In late 1940, the Admiralty purchased the vessel for £300, with a proviso allowing the Troop first option to repurchase after the war.

Post-War Service and Jamboree Voyage (1945–1946)

In October 1945, the Troop was informed that the vessel, renamed Labyrinth, was no longer required by the Admiralty and could be repurchased for a nominal sum. Located in a mud berth at Wallasea Bay near Burnham-on-Crouch, negotiations for repurchase were successful. The vessel was returned to Mortlake by late November 1945 and underwent machinery overhaul and refitting.

In 1946, after repairs from damage caused by the motor tug Wortha, a reconditioned 30hp Kelvin B.4. petrol-paraffin engine was installed with financial assistance from Imperial Headquarters. Following a vigorous refit, Minotaur sailed to the Sixth World Jamboree of Peace at Moisson, near Paris, in August 1946.

The voyage included passage through the English Channel, the Seine via the Tankerville Canal, and arrival at the jamboree site on an island surrounded by Belgian and French Sea Scout camps. The vessel attracted significant interest and was officially welcomed by the Chief Sea Scout of France and the British Sea Scout Commissioner. During the jamboree, the crew participated in various contests and official inspections. The return voyage to Mortlake was completed successfully despite minor mechanical delays.

Later Years and Disposition (1948 and Beyond)

By 1948, upkeep costs for Minotaur increased due to her age, and the Troop sought a larger, beamier, and faster vessel. The Minotaur was sold to Mr. C. Parnett of Enfield, Middlesex, and relocated to Heybridge Basin near Maldon, Essex. A new 52ft 6in ex-Naval Harbour Launch (steam-powered) was purchased in April 1948.

The ultimate fate of the original Minotaur is believed to have occurred around 1978 when she was hauled out of the water for repairs. During this process, her keel was fractured ("breaking her back"), and the vessel was deemed beyond repair and subsequently burnt.